It was a brief Superintendent’s Report at the Board of Education (BOE) meeting on May 13, 2008. Shelby Burton, Samantha Clayton, Sarah Higbee, Jason Mohr, and Dan Sullivan were acknowledged for being selected in either the 2008 All-State Mixed or All-Women’s Choir. According to Ms. Pam Barnes, 14 students from EHT were part of the 1,090 students from all of New Jersey who tried out and the above 5 students made it. Congratulations to each.

            There were no questions or comments from the members of the public or staff.

            Under Finance/Operations, sealed bids were solicited for lawn cutting services for Swift, Slaybaugh and Davenport in preparation for seasonal maintenance. Ground Force Corp., who was highly recommended from several sources, came in at $50,000. These services will be funded by the elimination of one full-time grounds position which is currently vacant. After reviewing the cost analysis (salaries for full-time and part-time staffing, benefits, FICA tax, Worker’s Comp. insurance, etc) provided by the business office, the BOE members approved the motion.

            Dr. and Mrs. Louis Rondinella donated $1,000 to the Davenport School Autism Program which was approved to accept.

            Approval was given to various district personnel to apply for 4 different grants, which vary from $10,000 to $300,000 over 5 years.

            Under Curriculum, various field trips were approved. Also, the Coordinator of KidsKlub requested that the 6^th grade before and after school KidsKlub program at Alder and Fernwood Middle Schools be discontinued beginning Sept. 08. Due to low participation and not being cost effective, the BOE approved this request.

            Under personnel, at this time of the year, approval by the BOE for the 08/09 staffing must be given.  The BOE approved to employ Tenured Teachers and Psychologists, Going –on –Tenure, Non-Tenured teachers and psychologists, administrators, bus drivers, and other support staff.

            No new hires were listed but the following staff

are or will be on leave of absence, resigned or retired:

• Ms. Noelle Caucci, Alder Ave. Middle Science, revised her maternity leave from 5/12 to 5/5/08.
• Ms. Fran Murphy, Miller School Computers, has been on medical leave of absence from 3/31 and is to return 6/1/08.
• Ms. Meghan Rush, High School Psychologist, will be on maternity/child rearing leave beginning 9/2 to return 1/5/09.
• Ms. Ann Marie Berry, Fernwwood Middle School Science, will be on maternity/child rearing leave from 9/3/08-1/5/09.
• Ms. Reather Miller, Primary Special Education at Davenport, submitted her letter of retirement, effective 10/1/08.
• Ms. Donna Prince, Fernwood Middle 8^th grade supplemental Math, will retire on 7/1/08.
• Ms. Diana Snow, Phys. Ed at Davenport and Slaybaugh Primary schools will also retire on 7/1/08.

At the first BOE meeting in June on the 10^th, the new student representative for the 08/09 school year will be introduced.

BOE member Brian Murphy announced that the Ed Foundation which gives out scholarships and mini-grants to teachers raised around $23,000 in their Golf Tournament. He also encouraged all to come out to the 2^nd Annual Talent Show on 5/23.

There will be a BOE meeting on May 27^th at 8 PM in the BOE room of the Alder Ave Middle School. June’s meetings are scheduled for the 10^th and the 24^th.

On a final note, Project Graduation will be June 18^th. This is the drug and alcohol free party sponsored by the HSA for graduating seniors and their guest. Volunteers are needed to chaperone that night, to help set up or break down the following morning. Contact Rick Ozmore at atcoz@comcast.net for more details or if you can help out. You may also contact me at 653-2009 or SRfromEHT@aol.com. I can promise a fun time for all.